Cleaning Capsule Filler Structure for Brewing Chamber Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning solutions for coffee machines, particularly those under pressure, are inadequate in removing non-water-soluble coffee residues and calcification, leading to impaired taste and machine contamination.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning capsule with a chemically inert filler that swells to match the flow resistance of coffee grounds, allowing the cleaning agent to reach all areas of the brewing chamber, while preventing deformation and ensuring the cleaning agent is evenly distributed and effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a cleaning agent is used alone in the cleaning capsule, then the cleaning agent can be fully dissolved in brewing water, but the cleaning capsule cannot maintain proper flow resistance and the cleaning agent cannot reach all contaminated areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (coffee grounds or inert filler material) that acts as a mediator between the cleaning agent and the brewing water. This intermediary maintains the flow resistance necessary for proper water circulation through the brewing chamber, while still allowing the cleaning agent to dissolve and reach all contaminated areas. The intermediary substance is filtered out after cleaning, leaving the brewing chamber clean.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different components serve different functions within the same capsule. The cleaning agent provides chemical cleaning action where needed, while the coffee grounds or filler material provides mechanical flow resistance in specific areas. This spatial differentiation of functions allows both dissolution and effective distribution simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If a cleaning capsule without filler is used, then the cleaning agent dissolves completely, but the capsule deforms and cannot maintain structural stability during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
The filler material acts as a structural intermediary that maintains capsule integrity during the cleaning process. It provides the necessary mechanical support to prevent deformation while being chemically inert or minimally reactive with the cleaning agent, allowing complete dissolution of the cleaning agent without compromising capsule stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning capsule uses a composite structure combining the cleaning agent with filler material (coffee grounds or inert substance). This composite approach allows the capsule to benefit from both the dissolving properties of the cleaning agent and the structural stability of the filler material, achieving both complete dissolution and maintained stability simultaneously.
3Reliability
If too much cleaning agent is used to ensure complete cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but the risk of overdosing and harmful effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a predetermined, optimized amount of cleaning agent that is sufficient for effective cleaning but controlled to prevent overdosing. The cleaning agent is distributed throughout the capsule with the filler material, ensuring even exposure and preventing concentration spikes that could lead to harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The filler material serves as a distributing intermediary that evenly disperses the cleaning agent throughout the capsule. This ensures consistent, controlled release of the cleaning agent during the brewing process, preventing localized overdosing while maintaining overall cleaning effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively removes coffee residues and calcification, maintaining machine performance and taste quality by ensuring the cleaning agent reaches all contaminated areas, preventing deformation, and ensuring safe and complete cleaning without overdosing.
Implementation Method 1
the filler is a solid that swells upon contact with water. This technical feature causes the cavity to be filled by the filler when it comes into contact with water
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning agent dissolved in the brewing water therefore reaches all areas of the brewing chamber that were contaminated during the coffee preparation
Implementation Method 3
The filler is therefore compressed in the closed cavity and opposes a flow resistance to the brewing water flowing through the cleaning capsule
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning capsule for accommodating in the brewing subassembly of a hot-beverage system, in particular of a coffee machine, having a cavity containing a detergent. Within the cavity, alongside the detergent, the cleaning capsule contains an inert filler.